Michael Brooks
Facing the eastward direction while praying has been a salient characteristic of Catholic liturgical spirituality since the early Church. This practice, known as ad orientem, is observed by Eastern Orthodox Churches, Oriental Orthodox Churches, Eastern Catholic Churches, and some Lutheran and Anglican churches. While it is no longer normative in the Roman Catholic Church, there is a growing movement among priests and bishops to respect the option of eastward orientation during the Eucharistic Prayer. The eastward direction of prayer is believed to symbolize the Second Coming of Christ, the rising sun, and the Garden of Eden, which was planted in the east.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Direction of prayer | Eastward direction |
| Who follows this practice | Early Christians, Eastern Orthodox Church, Oriental Orthodox churches, Mar Thoma Syrian Church, Assyrian Church of the East, Eastern Catholic and Eastern Lutheran churches, Indian Orthodox Church, Syriac Orthodox Church, Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, Coptic Orthodox Church, Oriental Protestant Churches |
| Reasoning | Reminds Christians of their need to long for paradise, Christians affirm their faith in Christ as the Light of the world, the Garden of Eden was planted in the east |
| Exceptions | Some Catholic churches do not follow this practice |
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What You'll Learn
- The eastward direction of Christian prayer has been a significant practice since the early Church
- Saint John of Damascus taught that facing east reminds Christians of paradise and affirms faith in Christ as the Light of the World
- The priest and congregation face the same direction during the Eucharistic Prayer
- The orientation is about the Cross, not the compass, with a crucifix placed on the altar
- The ancient practice of facing east while praying is reflected in the architecture of medieval cathedrals
The eastward direction of Christian prayer has been a significant practice since the early Church
The practice of facing the eastward direction during prayer, also known as "ad orientem", has been a significant aspect of Christian worship since the early Church. This tradition has persisted across centuries and is still observed in various Christian denominations, including Catholic, Orthodox, and Lutheran churches.
The eastward orientation in prayer holds symbolic significance for Christians. According to Saint John of Damascus, praying towards the east reminds Christians of their longing for paradise and their affirmation of Christ as the Light of the World. This belief is further supported by biblical references to the Garden of Eden being planted in the east, indicating that the Messiah would approach from that direction during the Second Coming.
In the ancient Church, it was common for Christians to face the rising sun during their prayers. This practice was not limited to Christians but was also observed by other ancient peoples. While the tradition of facing east remains ideal, the orientation of modern churches may not always align with the compass direction.
In some Catholic churches, such as Saint Mary's Church, the priest and congregation stand on the same side of the altar during the Eucharistic Prayer, facing the eastward direction together. This custom, known as praying towards the East or "ad orientem," is not widely practiced in the Catholic Church today, except in specific forms of the Roman Rite, like the Tridentine Mass.
The eastward direction of prayer has been a subject of discussion within the Catholic Church. While some priests and bishops support this orientation, others do not. Proponents of the eastward stance argue for its optional implementation during certain Masses, emphasizing that it is a longstanding tradition. Cardinal Ratzinger, for instance, encouraged the placement of a crucifix on the altar, even when the priest faced the congregation, to signify that they were facing the Lord rather than each other.
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Saint John of Damascus taught that facing east reminds Christians of paradise and affirms faith in Christ as the Light of the World
Since the time of the early Church, the practice of facing eastward during prayer has been significant to Christians. This practice, known as "ad orientem", continues in the Eastern Orthodox Church, Oriental Orthodox churches, Mar Thoma Syrian Church, Assyrian Church of the East, Eastern Catholic and Eastern Lutheran churches.
Saint John of Damascus, an 8th-century Doctor of the Church, taught that praying towards the east reminds Christians of paradise. According to him, facing the direction of sunrise when praying affirms their faith in Christ as the Light of the World. This belief is reflected in the writings of Saint John of Damascus, who was born between 675 and 676 in Damascus to a prominent Damascene Arab Christian family.
Saint John of Damascus' teachings on the significance of facing east during prayer are rooted in his understanding of Christian theology and the early Church Fathers' traditions. His writings, such as "An Exact Exposition of the Orthodox Faith," influenced both Eastern and Western Christian thinkers by offering logical and theological concepts. Saint John's defence of Christian sacred art, particularly icons, is also well-known among Eastern Christians.
The practice of praying towards the east is also mentioned in the writings of Timothy I, an 8th-century patriarch of the Church of the East. He stated that Christ taught Christians to worship in the direction of the east, in addition to instructing them on baptism, laws, ordinances, and prayers. This tradition of praying towards the east is still observed by members of Oriental Orthodox Churches, such as the Indian Orthodox Church and the Syriac Orthodox Church, during their private prayers at home.
The eastward direction during prayer is believed to be symbolic of Christians' longing for the paradise that God intended for them. It is also a reminder of the second coming of the Messiah, as mentioned in Genesis 2:8, which states that the Garden of Eden was planted in the east. This tradition has been encouraged by figures such as Cardinal Ratzinger, who preferred the common eastward orientation during Mass.
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The priest and congregation face the same direction during the Eucharistic Prayer
The practice of facing a particular direction while praying has been a part of Christianity since its early days. Ad orientem, a Latin phrase, is used to describe the posture of a priest in Christian liturgy, where the priest faces away from the congregation towards the apse or wall behind the altar. Both the priest and the congregation face the same direction, towards the east, during the Eucharistic Prayer.
The eastward direction of Christian prayer has been significant since the time of the early Church, as attested by the writings of the Church Fathers. The custom of praying towards the east is believed to have originated from the practice of the earliest Christians in Jerusalem, who prayed towards the Mount of Olives, located east of the city. They believed that the Mount of Olives was the locus of key eschatological events and the awaited Second Coming of Christ. This eastward direction of prayer was retained and became general throughout Christendom, even after the localization of the Second Coming on the Mount of Olives was abandoned following the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70.
The early churches in Rome had their altars in the west, with the priest celebrating Mass facing east, towards the people. According to Louis Bouyer, both the priest and the congregation faced east during prayer. However, Michel Remery critiqued this view, arguing that it was unlikely for Christians to turn their backs on the altar and the priest during the Eucharist celebration. The official journal of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments supported Remery's view in its May 1993 issue, recalling the reproaches of Pope Leo I against those who turned their backs on the altar.
The eastward direction of prayer is also mentioned in the writings of Saint Basil the Great from the 4th century. He stated that "facing the east to pray was among the oldest unwritten laws of the Church." Additionally, Christian apologetic tracts from the 7th century in Syriac and Arabic languages explained that Christians prayed facing the east because they believed the Garden of Eden was planted there. This belief is also supported by Romans 12:1 and Genesis 2:8 in the Bible.
The practice of facing east during the Eucharistic Prayer has been supported by prominent theologians such as Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger (Pope Benedict XVI) and Cardinal Christoph Schönborn. They argued that the Eucharistic Prayer is addressed to God, and therefore, it is appropriate for the priest and congregation to face the same direction, symbolizing their unity in prayer. Cardinal Ratzinger suggested placing a crucifix on the altar, even when the Mass is celebrated facing the people, to remind them that they are facing the Lord together.
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The orientation is about the Cross, not the compass, with a crucifix placed on the altar
The practice of praying towards the east, or ad orientem, has been a salient characteristic of Catholic liturgical spirituality from the earliest centuries. Saint Justin Martyr wrote in the second century that prayers are made towards the sunrise in the East. Saint Clement of Alexandria also wrote about the eastward direction of prayer, stating that "the word of His truth and wisdom is more ardent and more light-giving than the rays of the sun, and sinks down into the depths of heart and mind."
Saint John of Damascus taught that Christians pray facing east as it reminds them of their need to long for and strive for paradise. The eastward direction of prayer also symbolizes the affirmation of faith in Christ as the Light of the World. This practice continues in various Christian denominations, including the Eastern Orthodox Church, Oriental Orthodox Churches, and Eastern Catholic Churches.
However, it is important to note that the orientation during prayer is not solely about the compass direction. While the ancient Church and many ancient peoples faced east toward the rising sun, it is not always feasible to position churches in this direction. Instead, the focus is on the Cross, with a crucifix placed on the altar. This crucifix serves as a reminder that those praying are facing the Lord, not each other.
At Saint Mary's Church, for example, the priest stands on the same side of the altar as the congregation during the Eucharistic Prayer, a custom known as praying towards the East or ad orientem. This practice emphasizes the unity of the priest and the congregation in their shared direction toward the sacred liturgy, symbolizing the glory of the Lord shining upon them.
In conclusion, while the eastward direction of prayer has been a significant tradition in Catholicism and other Christian denominations, the primary focus is on orienting towards the Cross and, by extension, towards the Lord. The placement of a crucifix on the altar reinforces this spiritual connection, regardless of the physical orientation of the church building.
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The ancient practice of facing east while praying is reflected in the architecture of medieval cathedrals
Facing east while praying, or "ad orientem", is a practice that has been observed by Christians since the early Church. This tradition has persisted through the centuries and is still practised by various Christian denominations, including Eastern Orthodox Churches, Oriental Orthodox Churches, Eastern Catholic Churches, and Eastern Lutheran Churches.
The ancient practice of facing east while praying is deeply rooted in Christian symbolism. According to Saint John of Damascus, praying towards the east reminds Christians of their longing for the paradise that God intended for them, representing the Garden of Eden, which was believed to be planted in the east. Additionally, facing the direction of the sunrise while praying affirms the faith in Christ as the Light of the World.
This practice is reflected in the architecture of medieval cathedrals, where the orientation of the buildings was carefully considered. When constructing these grand structures, efforts were made to position them eastward, aligning with the tradition of facing the east during prayer. This architectural design further emphasised the eschatological and transcendent meanings associated with the eastern orientation.
The significance of the eastward orientation in liturgical prayer is evident in the customs of specific churches. For instance, at Saint Mary's Church, the priest and congregation stand together on the same side of the altar, facing east during the Eucharistic Prayer. This custom, known as praying towards the East or "ad orientem", is observed during the celebration of the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite, commonly referred to as the Tridentine Mass.
However, it is important to note that the practice of facing east during prayer is not universally followed by all Catholics. Some Catholic churches are oriented in different directions, and liturgical prayers may involve the priest and congregation facing opposite directions. Nonetheless, the tradition of facing east holds symbolic value and continues to be a topic of discussion and reflection within Catholic liturgical spirituality.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Catholics pray to the east, or ad orientem, a practice that continues in the Eastern Orthodox Church, Oriental Orthodox churches, Mar Thoma Syrian Church, Assyrian Church of the East, as well as the Eastern Catholic and Eastern Lutheran churches.
There are several reasons why Catholics pray to the east. Firstly, it is believed that the Garden of Eden was planted in the east, and that during the second coming, the Messiah will approach Jerusalem from that direction. Secondly, praying towards the east reminds Christians of their longing for paradise and their faith in Christ as the Light of the World.
The Bible contains several references that support the tradition of praying towards the east. For example, Matthew 24:27 states, "For as lightning cometh out of the east, and appeareth even unto the west: so shall the coming of the Son of Man be."
While it is preferred and encouraged, Catholics do not always pray towards the east. The direction of prayer depends on the specific church and altar orientation, as well as the priest's preference. Some Catholic churches are architecturally designed to face east, while others may have altars that do not align with a true east direction.
Yes, praying towards the east is not unique to Catholicism. Other Christian denominations, such as the Eastern Orthodox Church, Oriental Orthodox Churches, and Pentecostal Apostolic Faith Mission, also incorporate this practice in their worship.
